Settlements and Transport

Human settlements with sustainability, equity, and fulfillment. Sustainable, equitable means including non-motorised and public transport

This features both rural and urban areas, and the search to make human settlements sustainable, equitable, and fulfilling places to live and work in. This includes: sustainable architecture, localized generation of basic infrastructural, water and energy needs, urban biodiversity conservation, waste/garbage minimisation and recycling, efficiency and frugality in the use of these basics, the defense and revival of common and open spaces, participatory budgeting and planning of settlements.

We would also like to include stories of sustainable, equitable means of transport that can be accessed by all and that do not create ecological and social problems as is the case with a focus on privatized motorized transport. Stories on the promotion of public transport, cycling, walking, human/animal powered and other forms of ecologically sustainable and equitable transportation, planning for equitable access, reclaiming the roads and parking lots for public use, and so on, are featured.

Expensive, elitist models that may be ecologically sustainable but are not relevant for most people, are likely to be avoided here.

The story behind Ecoindian’s zero-waste grocery store in Chennai

Redesigning lifestyles so that all products are reused.

Hyderabad gets its first zero waste grocery store

No to Plastic! So where to have your rice, pulses, oils, cleaners, etc. packed only in paper covers, cloth bags and containers?

The Makeshift Huts – Indigenous Agro-pastoral Communities

Simple structure, used for shelter from weather and protection from wild animals, and also to store food. The hearth is under the elevated floor.

Thannal Hand Sculpted Home

Built in less than a month and a half.

Rolling back the architect

"Each village community is different, so with each village the approach had to change."

When wasteland bears fruits

A neighbourhood forest, explains Anasuyamma, spreads across 12-16 hectares (ha) and usually grows timber, fruits and medicinal plants.

Dump the AC, Use These 3 Green Cooling Solutions While Building Your Home!

"Everything we build from now onwards has to be eco-sensitive, energy efficient, cost efficient, people-centred and value-based."

Pepper helps Rabhas to live with tuskers

"The thorns of lemon discourage them and of course they do not eat pepper (unlike banana and jackfruit)”

Community-based Tourism in Pawalgarh

Ecotourism leads the way for conservation and better livelihood opportunities for local youth